Grammar
N5 verb-grammar

Want to do 〜たい

Meaning

Expresses the speaker's desire to do something — "I want to ~". Attaches to the verb stem. Conjugates like an i-adjective.

Formation

Notes

Describes the SPEAKER'S desire (or asks the listener's). The object can take を OR が (水を飲みたい / 水が飲みたい). Use 〜たがる for 3rd-person desire (advanced).

Examples

I want to drink water.

Breakdown
water (object/subject) want to drink (polite)

I want to go to Japan.

Breakdown
Japan to want to go (polite)

I don't want to do anything. (negative)

Breakdown
anything do not want to do (polite)

I wanted to buy a new car. (past)

Breakdown
new car (object) wanted to buy (polite)

Where do you want to go?

Breakdown
where to want to go do you?

I don't want to travel alone.

Breakdown
alone/one person by (means) do not want to travel (polite)